Higashida...
Daisuke Higashida...
It seems like the time has come for us to part ways...
or something like that...
This may be goodbye... or something like that...
How can I put it? It's like...
We're breaking up. I mean... It's like...
Appear after you know what you wanna say!
THERE'S A REASON FOR EVERYTHING
The old man appeared in your dream?
What does that mean?
I don't know.
Going by his words, we're probably not going to see each other again.
Really?
Without that guy, if we go over there, we won't be able to come back.
Then don't go there.
But... I see...
What's wrong? It looks like you're using your non-existent brain.
I feel like something is changing when I'm with the old man.
How can I put it?
A little more...
Just a little more...
and I'll grab your stomach!
Don't you mean crush it?
Please don't brood over it. A storm will come.
Come to think of it, the last time I went to see him,
you two were having a conversation, right?
What were you talking about?
Sweethearts...
Well, you know...
Relations between males and females...
You mean like what you would learn about in health class?
Miyakoshi...
That would never happen with us. That would never happen with us.
Why do you have to say it twice?
Oh? Did I say it twice?
Please don't think of weird things, whatever they are.
As long as there's the chocolate and the cooking,
we can keep going out normally like this.
Um...
Huh?
Wha... I just said something to the effect that I want to go out with Miyakoshi!
Don't tell me that on a subconscious level...
Calm down. Stay cool in front of Miyakoshi.
Watch for her response and then act accordingly.
BEEP
BZZZ
Her brain hasn't caught up with the processing.
BEEP
Like, I don't really get it,
but the gist is that my cooking is on the verge of success!
I can't just stand around and chat!
Miyakoshi, wait!
After I finish all my work, I'm going right home to think about cooking!
That's ridiculously impressive!
Really, please do not force-feed me something awful
and do everything you can to ruin me.
Wait a second!
Higashida, you think I'm someone who force-feeds people dangerous substances?
I sure as hell do!
Wha...? Needless anger!
Righteous anger!
ANYONE CAN MASTER POPULAR HOME COOKING AND MAKE IT DELICIOUS!
HMMM HMMM
I feel like I'm close to a breakthrough.
Think back to what Muranushi and old man Valentine said.
But Higashida...
But Higashida... When I think about it, it is kind of impressive
that he's been my voluntary taste-tester all this time.
That's right. I have to cook something decent for Higashida's sake, too.
What should I do?
My cooking sucks, which is exactly why I have to do it.
With consideration, thinking about the other person...
When I'm cooking... think about the person eating...
Tasting!
This is bad. Now Miyakoshi is enthusiastic about cooking.
I have a feeling she'll force a dish on me today,
so I'd better try to change the subject.
What's wrong, Miyakoshi?
Miyakoshi...
I was wondering who you were.
Are you all right?
Your eyes are lifeless, and you're drooling.
A hero...
Are you okay?
It seems like you've eaten your own cooking.
Or, no. The results of that would be even worse than this.
Don't ask me anything.
Right now, I'm ashamed to look you in the face.
Your eyes are out of focus, so you can't look me in the face.
I have my own battle to fight.
Miyakoshi...
ONE WEEK LATER
Miyakoshi?
Sorry I made you walk me home.
No, that's fine.
SHIVER SHIVER
Chaos...
Maybe this is Miyakoshi's...
Cooking, huh? You were cooking, weren't you?
Yeah. Higashida, I was cooking your...
Miyakoshi, calm down. For now, let's go inside.
This miasma is from your cooking, huh?
I... I...
Living in a place like this would give anyone a mental disorder.
My cooking...
- I tasted it. - Tasted it?
She was that reckless?
Tasted it?
Or, she's only started tasting her own cooking at this point?
Or just tasting her cooking led to a disaster of epic proportions?
Tasted it?
I don't know which one to answer her with.
Why would you do something like that?
T-To make delicious cooking, I thought of the person eating it...
Tasting it...
And after tasting it, I understood.
I'm no good, as a cook or a human being.
I was fine with making someone eat this stuff all this time.
Making you eat it, Higashida...
SOB SOB SOB
Higashida, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!
For now, please stop crying. This is awkward.
RUB RUB RUB
But it seems you've finally realized the error of your ways.
Yeah. I'm done cooking.
That being said, you've already caused me enough damage to kill me,
so maybe I'll have you compensate me.
I-If it's something I can do...
For starters, I think I'll have you make me something to eat!
H-Higashida, what do you mean by that?
Nothing. I'm just hungry. Hurry up!
Easy to say, but I've done nothing but fail at it...
The only thing that looked like it was supposed to was the chocolate.
Hurry up!
Are you really gonna eat it?
It's chocolate of all things.
Actually, chocolate is perfect.
It's fitting that this is your last dish, Miyakoshi.
I'm going to take a big bite, then pay my respects to Valentine.
H-Higashida...
Here I go.
CHOKE
Disgusting!
- Disgusting? - Disgusting?
What does that mean?
Miyakoshi chocolate is only disgusting?
You're not going to see the old man?
Then...
KILL
Then I've finally killed you!
I'm not dead.
Both of you...
Old man...
You've done well.
Your consideration for each other has worked a miracle.
You no longer have to do your best, with your life on the line.
I see... We...
We're already dead.
Stop! You're not dead! Neither of you are dead!
I just set the mood and started talking to you is all!
You two don't need to go to that world anymore.
I made an effort to come to this world so I could say goodbye.
Old man...
Yes, yes. You really did your best, Hana.
You, too, Higashi.
I'm moved.
I can't tell from the expression on your face.
And so this really is goodbye.
Old man...
Hana, you impressed me in the end.
Never forget to be considerate of the other person.
Okay.
And give up on cooking already.
I really should?
Higashi...
you've been through a lot, and you're not at all like what you used to be,
but don't worry about it.
Please give me more encouraging words.
I don't know what's going to happen with you two, but for now, get along.
Love and peace.
How can I put it? It's over, huh?
Good job.
Well, I'm going home.
Higashida...
It's okay. I'm touched.
Wh-Wh-What's your type of woman?
What do you mean, what's my type?
Y-You know, like, for example... l-long hair or short hair...
Hair? Hair, huh?
Maybe long?
I can grow it out, right? I can grow it out!
See you!
SIX MONTHS LATER
Thank you!
Miyakoshi's hair has really gotten long!
Yeah.
And your hair's short now, Naga.
That's because I got a haircut.
It seems Higashi likes long hair.
Miyakoshi is cute, isn't she?
And the day after you heard that, you got a haircut.
I-It was just a coincidence!
I had an appointment at the hairdresser before I heard about that.
So it's a total coincidence!
Then why did you get a short haircut?
I-I did it because you and I had the same hairstyle, Yanagiba.
Actually, it feels like I was in love with Higashida
out of a sense of duty from the very beginning.
But I've totally given up on him.
Next time, I'm going to have an easier romance.
I hope!
And you don't have any regrets?
Regrets?
REFRESHED
I absolutely, positively don't have a single one!
Naga, you're too refreshed.
But I'm glad that I became a regular at this restaurant.
Because I made a friend I can talk to every day.
Naga...
I'm glad I made friends with you too, Naga.
I'm glad I made friends with someone who goes to the same school.
I... I've decided...
You're coming to school?
...to give up on the idea of going there.
Huh?
Naga is even cuter after getting her haircut.
Stay away from high school students!
That's right. Being frivolous when you're working is improper.
At work, work hard, not romp in the flowers.
Shut up. I'll mow you down, little girl.
AREA TO BE MOWED
SLASH SLASH SLASH
Saiki, your Japanese has really improved.
Kamakura told me to say that to Kisaki if she said something to me.
I'm glad you've become a decent worker, Saiki.
Cause with part-time jobs, you never know when someone's gonna quit.
You're right.
One person has quit recently, right?
Yuuta!
Hello.
I figured you were coming. The flowers were blooming.
They were blooming.
Thanks.
- Yuuta! - Shiho, stay back!
I'm covered in mud, so if you hug me, your uniform will get dirty.
I'll bring your lunch!
Good thing Kamakura moved back home, huh?
Yeah.
She's really changed.
The blooming flowers have become a Shindou radar.
HA HA HA HA
Sometimes they're blooming from morning on.
But it must be tough for you, starting so early in the morning.
Oh, right. But it's the construction industry, so...
Shiho's dad pulled strings.
It's a tough job, but the pay is good,
and it comes regularly, so I've been able to quit being a host.
But I often find myself on crumbling scaffolding.
That's a dangerous job!
And sometimes there are unnatural breaks in the ropes.
Dishonest businesses are black, but yours is blood-colored!
Yuuta, I've brought your lunch.
Great. Well, see you again.
See you!
Today and tomorrow, too, work hard and make money.
Here.
Between my dad using his tuna-fishing earnings on pachinko and my own pay,
I don't know whether we're in the black or red overall, but I'll do my best.
I-I will...
also do my best to learn about society by working part-time
so I can become a wife deserving of you.
Sometimes I help out in the kitchen and learn how to cook, too!
Yuuta...
Recently, this is the only place where we've been meeting,
and I can change my uniform, so, um...
Okay.
THUMP THUMP
Yuuta...
Yuuta!
Oh, the voice from heaven is telling me to hurry up and make money,
so we'll continue next time, okay?
I see. I guess it's our fate to have money come between us.
What are you talking about?
Without money, we never would've met, right?
Y-Yuuta! That was so cool!
I'll see you.
I embarrass myself every time with these corny lines!
Okay! I'll see you later, Yuuta!
Yeah! See you later!
Our lady used to be such a sadist, but now she's a flower garden.
That worries me, too.
I think it's fine. It's most important for people to be honest about their feelings.
I'll hold the fort. Go ahead, Adachi.
Oh, okay.
Sorry, Kouno.
It's fine. Don't worry about it!
But I guess as your friend, I'll see you off with a note of caution.
We're short on knives in the kitchen.
S-Sorry I had you change your break so we could talk.
That's no big deal. What is it?
Um... Uh...
It's kind of important.
So what is it?
Um, I'm thinking of quitting.
My family runs a sushi restaurant, so I thought it was about time.
I mean, I need to get serious about the family business.
A second one!
I'm scared.
And if I get serious about my family's restaurant,
I'll be busy from early in the morning until night, so it won't be like it's been.
I see. Never mind here at work...
we'd hardly be able to see each other even on days off, huh?
That could be.
A third knife?
Muranushi, you'll understand when I tell you. I mean, let me finish...
I don't want to be unable to see you.
Muranushi...
Ow! Ow! Ow!
CRUSH CRUSH
I don't want to resolve something serious during a break at my part-time job.
Well, I thought it would be easier if we talked here.
About what?
Um, well, this was just a proposal. How can I put it?
Like, if it's impossible for you, Muranushi, then there's nothing for it.
Again, what is it?
Muranushi, would you quit here and come to my place?
That's a no?
What do you... What do you mean?
U-Um, I want to see you more, and we have an empty room at my house,
so I thought maybe you could stay there while working at the restaurant.
I lost consciousness for a moment.
Adachi. Are you okay?
Huh? Maybe I'm not okay so much...
Sorry, that hurts, doesn't it?
That's fine, but explain how your thinking jumped to that conclusion.
U-Um, normally a guy would probably propose at a time like this,
but I'm still too inexperienced to take over the family business,
so given the circumstances, that would only put a burden on you.
That being said, I don't want to be apart from you,
so I want you to watch over me until I do have my act together.
The person I'm in love with...
You'd kind of be there to keep me in line.
...is really scary when he's driven into a corner.
And I missed out on the timing to blush.
That being said, I'm still a college student
and I don't think my mom would let me do that.
Yeah, true. You can answer that.
MOM
It's fine with me.
I don't think she would let me.
A-Are you sure it was okay to just hang up like that?
Well, my break is over, so there it is.
Right.
No good, huh?
The sentiment makes me happy.
I'll start by working there part-time, so I'll need a lot of guidance.
The rest...
we'll take a step at a time.
You smiled...
No, I didn't. Don't expect much in the way of affection.
Right. Then before you change your mind, let's go tell the manager.
Is that why you had us talk in the break room about something important?
That's right.
Ow! Ow! Ow!
PINCH PINCH
We'll work on that personality a step at a time, too.
CONGRATULATIONS
Mama!
Mama...
Sorry. Come here.
I was distracted by the supernatural phenomenon.
Did something happen?
It's hard to explain.
Sakaki... This is just a hunch,
but I think the restaurant is going to lose a lot of its workforce before long.
Mishter...
Anyway, Hime sure has grown.
She can stand now and is starting to say a few words.
Mishter Sakaki, money!
She says that word especially clearly.
Money, money, money!
Don't chant it!
It seems she's gotten into investing and the habit of making money.
Habit?
But I'm reminded all the time of how tough it is raising a kid.
I guess she needs a father.
Are you going to take him back?
Yeah, right. I don't even see him.
But even if it's impossible now,
I'll have to let Hime meet him sometime.
When she's in that rebellious stage.
She has various complicated feelings about it, huh?
Don't worry about Hime. Do your best with your own work.
Oh, right.
As the manager, I'd like you to do your job, Kisaki.
- Fine. - Right?
Did you just agree to work? Kisaki!
- Did something happen? - Not especially.
Come to think of it,
your bangs have grown out, Kisaki.
You notice that now?
They've always been long.
You seem different.
Never mind me.
Isn't there someone else you should be saying those words to?
Easy for her to say...
All right! Success!
She hasn't changed at all.
Miyakoshi, did you make instant noodles again?
I'm sick of seeing that miracle.
Don't sit down next to me all of a sudden!
A-Anyway...
When it comes to cooking, the little good things are important!
There were a lot of sad incidents, but good things too, weren't there?
Wh-What?
For example, when your cooking drove your home into a state of chaos,
your mother looked to your father for help, and they reconciled.
I'm happy for them, but personally, it's a little embarrassing!
- Miyakoshi... - Wh-Wh-What?
I've thought this for a while now...
Shall we break up?
Saying something as serious as that so lightly...
You said it without any kind of preamble.
And without any expression on your face.
H-How cruel can you be?
Who did it? Who made you like that?
I did!
Now I know what redistribution feels like.
That's "retribution."
So... can I go on?
Y-Yeah.
I've caused you a lot of problems.
I can't stop you.
Then we broke up, a clean break.
Go out with me.
Up to now, our relationship has been for the sake of curing your cooking disease,
but now that it's solved, I broke up with you to put a period on all that.
And now, starting over...
Higashida...
You were watching me for like a minute while I was depressed, right? Right?
I was watching you. It was funny.
I-I don't get your change of heart or whatever it is...
Right, that. I'll explain it in a simple way.
APRIL
After the final cooking incident,
to be honest, I thought it'd all become a pain in the ass.
JULY
That's what I thought,
but I thought the embarrassed, flustered Miyakoshi was entertaining.
OCTOBER
And so a change came over the first "pain in the ass" feeling.
I don't get it!
Well, even before the incidents, I thought you were interesting,
so then I had a feeling that you hadn't really changed since then.
So to be honest, I can't say that I love you,
but I don't want to let anyone else have you.
So is that okay? Or no?
It's okay.
Really? Good.
- Then we're going out with each other! - Y-Yeah.
Being embarrassed about it more than necessary is creepy, so please don't do that.
Y-You...
Wh-When a girl kind of likes a guy, who calls her bashfulness "creepy"?
Is this retribution?
I'm happy that you're getting sharper, Miyakoshi.
All right!
Various troubles have just fallen away, so I'm ready to work hard!
Since I started working here, I've been through...
I've been through a lot.
When I think about it, I've come a long way.
You've gone too far!
I know!
From now on, my goal is getting back your smile!
Although saying that, working a part-time job really isn't that interesting.
Did you just smile?
No.
But speaking of smiles, Miyakoshi...
yours has been unnaturally stiff for the past six months.
Well, even before that,
your customer service smile was always eerie.
Wha...
Please work with a natural smile on your face.
You're the one person who has no business saying that to me!
You don't even have a customer service smile!
Yeah, yeah.
A customer is leaving. If you would...
Natural, natural...
Thank you!
We look forward to your next visit!